Assessing the Rice Pest Management Practices and their Implications to Productivity and Income of Farmers in Selected Barangays of Calauan, Laguna, 2023

Date

6-2024

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Zenaida M. Huelgas

Committee Member

Geny F. Lapiña, Mari Angeles O. Catelo

Restrictions

Restricted: Not available to the general public and to those bound by the confidentiality agreement. Access is available only after consultation with author/thesis adviser.

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the rice pest management practices and their implications to productivity and income of farmers in selected barangays of Calauan, Laguna. Specifically, it aimed to: (1) characterize the rice farmers in the study area; (2) discuss the pest management practices of the rice farmers; (3) assess the rice farmers' knowledge on various insect pests, natural enemies, and pesticide toxicity; (4) determine the productivity of insecticide expenditure or its effect on mean yield; (5) compare the surveyed villages with respect to reported pest pressure vis-a-vis their rice production costs and income; and (6) provide recommendations based on the reported pest problem encountered by the rice farmers.

There were 69 rice farmers from the top three rice-producing barangays of Calauan, specifically Masiit, Bangyas, and Dayap who participated in the study. The study utilized both primary and secondary data to characterize the rice farmers, along with their pest management practices. It also determined their knowledge on various rice pests, natural enemies, and pesticide toxicity on human health. Moreover, the productivity or mean yield effects of fertilized (nitrogen) and pest control (insecticide) was estimated. Cost and return analysis was also used to compare the production costs and net incomes of the surveyed villages. Statistical analysis was then employed to determine the significant differences in the yields and net incomes of rice farmers across the barangays.

The results of the study showed that most rice farmers in the are were older, started growing rice in their early teenage years, completed at least secondary education, or lessees, members of farmers' association, actively participated in training and seminars, and had access to credit. Their pest management practices included biological methods such as using predicators and plating of flowering plants, as well as a cultural methods like synchronous planting using resistant rice varies. However, the most widely adopted pest management practice was chemical control, with Butyphenyl Methycarbamate (BPMC) +Chlorpyrifos being the commonly used insecticide.

It was also found that rice farmers in the study area were less knowledgeable on insect pests, while knowledgeable enough on natural enemies and pesticide toxicity on human health. Yet, most of them applied insecticides that are categorize as moderately hazardous. Hence, they practice pre-emptive measures by wearing facemasks and proper clothes to protect them from the harmful effects of chemicals. However, despite these precautions, they still experienced dizziness and a sese of weakness after spraying pesticides.

In terms of productivity, the analysis showed that there was an overuse of insecticides by farmers in the study area. The study also found that Masiit rice farmers had the lowest pesticide control cost, mean yield, and net income per hectare compared to Dayap and Bangyas due to pest attacks. Therefore, it is important to provide assistance and proper training on the timing and methods of pesticide application to address this problem. Moreover, exploring alternative methods for managing rice pests, instead of solely relying on chemical pesticides is recommended to reduce the short- and long- term effects of pesticides on human health.

Language

English

LC Subject

Pests--Control, Rice trade--Philippines, Rice farmers

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2024 A14 D43

Document Type

Thesis

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